Did clergy used to preside over sign-offs?

May 1, 2007 7:05 AM

How frequently did TV sign-offs include prayers, blessings, sermons, or other messages from the clergy?

I first heard of this practice in the book Linden Hills, but assumed it was fictional (and a reflection of the hellfire-and-brimstone atmosphere of the community in the book). When I was searching for something on YouTube a few days ago, I came across this sign-off (SFW) from a former UHF station in Boston. Was this practice at all popular at other stations?

posted by pxe2000 to media & arts (5 comments total)

Where I grew up in Virginia in the 70s I remember one station would show a little 15-minute religious program called The Circuit Rider, and then play the National Anthem to sign off.
posted by JanetLand at 8:10 AM on May 1, 2007

In Scotland, we used to have (70s/80s) Late Call, a 5min religious 'thought for the day' type of thing. It wasn't always immediately before closedown, but always thereabouts.
It was parodied by a Scottish comedian called Rikki Fulton, and now the parody is much better remembered than the original.
posted by Jakey at 8:16 AM on May 1, 2007

I remember as a child when there were only two, then three TV channels in the UK, programmes ended before midnight with a five-minute show called "The Epilogue", which was usually a straight-to-camera talk by a clergyman, followed by the National Anthem and then a reminder by a posh-voiced BBC announcer to switch off the TV and unplug it.

I still remember the Epilogue in the 1980s, and it was probably only with the coming of 24-hour satellite TV to the UK that it ended.

More here.
posted by essexjan at 8:22 AM on May 1, 2007

Available for five-days-a-week scheduling, "A Seed for the Garden of Your Heart" is ideal aired adjacent to newcasts, sports or entertainment programs, and is excellent for sign on and sign off features.

This feature from Michael Guido was has been widely used in the southeast and is apparently still marketed for that purpose.
posted by TedW at 9:57 AM on May 1, 2007

As a kid in Chicago in the late 50s early 60s I remember these signoffs well - all the stations had them. I remember one show (maybe 5 minutes long) was called Sermonette. Another station would play the Navy Hymn over a series of Navy images.
posted by richg at 6:46 AM on May 2, 2007